The book on

IUT RUBBER TAPPING by

L Thankamma


This book is on the history of development of an innovative rubber harvesting technology
,the first of its kind in the whole rubber growing countries around the world which is well
capable of bringing in a real white revolution in the case of rubber production .The technology
which is a real panacea for all ills of rubber plantation industry at present, being innovative it
is disruptive which is capable of total wiping out of the existing unscientific technology
developed by H. N. Ridley during 1890- 91 and hence thereby describing how the 3 decade
long one man freedom struggle in the intellectual field has been successful after facing all
sorts of hardships.
The role of the book in contributing towards the rubber plantation industry in the state
in our country and later to all the rubber growing countries in the world is really great.
The rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
Hevea brasiliensis the rubber tree is a native of South America, the Amazon river basin and
now it is being cultivated in all the tropical countries around the world. Introduced to India
towards the commencement of 20
th
century it is now cultivated in 7 states in about 8 lakh
hectares. No doubt it is the most important plantation crop all over the world at present not
just income generating but also the best towards aiding in afforestation to ward off the ill
effects of Global Warming.
The role of the Innovative rubber harvesting technology IUT rubber tapping technology
The rubber tapping technology existing at present in all the rubber growing countries
around the world including India is one developed by H. N. Ridley during 1890- 91
INNOVATIVEIUT RUBBER TAPPING TECHNOLOGY,ITS RELEVANCE
Let me humbly but proudly announce EUREKA
Yes, I have found out the technology the correct technology suitable for rubber harvesting.
Once it was done successfully the new technology could very well ensure three to four times
increase in rubber yield and total elimination of tapping panel dryness so far considered an
enigma. It was proved conclusively that all the crisis threatening the rubber plantation
industry at present are exclusively contributed by the existing most unscientific nonsensical
Terminator technology of Downward Vertical Tapping or DVT developed by Ridley which did
not take neither the Anatomy of the bark nor the physiology of the latex flow into
consideration. It was also proved that beyond enhancing the income of the grower and the
tapper it ensures the protection of the environment converting rubber cultivation into a
total organic one eliminating all chemical pesticides , carcinogenic yield stimulant and so on.
In addition to this the technology will ensure effective afforestation as well even better than
the natural forests, thereby eliminating the ill effects of Global Warming, adding to the
biomass generation tremendously, protecting the western ghats, the backbone of S. India and
also in preventing landslides and soil erosion thereby proving that the new technology is totally
grower friendly, labour friendly and ecofriendly as well, no doubt.
The existing rubber tapping technology or Downward Vertical rubber tapping
In the existing technology the tapping direction is downward the tapping panel is vertically
oriented. Hence it is Downward Vertical Tapping.
Is it scientific? If not why?
It is highly unscientific nonsensical and hence a Terminator technology in effect. That is
because the harvesting operation starts from the upper younger portion and proceeds
downwards towards the older portion.The tree grows up but the direction of tapping
proceeds away in the opposite direction. When the direction of flow of latex inside the bark is
invariably downwards only, the direction of tapping in this technology is downwards always
as against being upwards which is the most serious error. More over the orientation of the
latex vessels which are inclined towards the right is also not taken into account . In the existing
system as soon as the first tapping is done the whole of the vessels in the half circumference
are cut off completely blocking latex flow from the top. Then in future tappings whatever latex
is extracted is from the lower bark only which has no connection to the bark above. So in
future tappings the bark below is subjected to double stress and strain as it has to produce
latex in both directions at the same time. It is this phenomenon which leads to the lowering of
latex production ,low dry rubber content ,total cessation of flow culminating in Tapping panel
dryness syndrome or TPD. Hence it is the very reason why the technology is most unscientific
leading to very low productivity culminating in TPD as well which is the exact reason for all
problems in the field. Use of the hazardous yield stimulant Ethrel is recommended but this is
totally useless and is highly hazardous being carcinogenic POP resulting in high incidence of
cancer in the Districts with more rubber plantations and on the banks of rivers carrying
water from such districts.
The INNOVATIVE IUT TAPPING TECHNOLOGY
How is it that iut is perfectly scientific?
In the case of IUT on the contrary the direction of tapping is always from bottom to top
proceeding upwards against the flow direction and towards the direction of growth of the
tree that too only on a panel along the angle of inclination of the latex vessels. The tree is
opened for tapping at the lowermost portion of the tree which has got the oldest portion of
the bark with the thickest cambium with the largest quantum of laticiferous tissue in the form
of vessel row numbers, vessels, quantity of latex with highest Dry Rubber Content as well. The
direction of tapping is always upwards whereby half of the total latex vessels are cut open on
each day. Since the direction is towards upwards the latex has to flow down only for fulfilling
its normal function and also for closing the cut ends of vessels and hence there is no stress and
strain for the vessels and hence volume of latex is more and the dry rubber content is also more
always.
Prevention of Tapping Panel Dryness
Tapping Panel Dryness being the most serious malady affecting the yield of rubber trees and
since it has been considered to be an enigma so far finding out the exact cause and its ready
remedy by the use of IUT is really a spectacular achievement indeed in the case of rubber
research. The first of its kind in the whole world!
Hence by the adoption of IUT the stress and strain are totally over the tree grows up the
tapping also proceeds up and that is why the yield enhances the health improves and the
economic life span of the tree enhances to four times.
Prevention of bark rot disease
IUT is very well capable of preventing the incidence of barkrot disease totally thereby totally
eliminating the use of any fungicide at all.
IUTs influence on longevity of the tree
The technology enhances the economic life span of the tree to upto four times that is upto
100 years from the 25-30 years at present
IUTs influence on the income of the labourer
Since the TPD is totally prevented the frequency of tapping can be increased from the present
weekly once to once in two days and also due to incentive due to increased latex quantity the
wages of the labourers will enhance to three times that is upto Rs 1050 per day! Hence the
scarcity experienced at present will be totally solved on a sustainable basis.

IUTS influence on solving the problem of cancer incidence caused by the carcinogenic
organohalogen chemical stimulant Ethephon orEthrel
The use of the highly hazardous chemical yield stimulant Ethrel [2 chloro ethyl phosphonic
acid-a POP] can totally be eliminated and thereby putting an end to the very high incidence of
cancer caused by the use of high quantities of the carcinogen for the last four decades capable
of causing cancer even to the generations to come.
Its influence in aiding in afforestation to ward off the ill effects of Global Warming and also in
protecting the very existence of Western Ghats the back bone of S. India are also very
important.
IUT will ensure very effective afforestation by warding off replantation at 25 years interval
thereby ensuring safety from landslides and severe soil erosion.
The tremendous addition of biomass by the rubber trees is exemplary, so to say. Hence
performing far better than natural forests in afforestation.
This is about the innovative technology IUT . Unique of its kind ,proving a real panacea FOR all
ills and bringing in a real white revolution indeed. It will really prove to be a boon indeed and
the immense benefits offered by it will in no time spread to all the other rubber growing
countries of the world as well it is definite
LET THE WHOLE RUBBER GROWING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD SHARE THE BENEFITS OF THE
TECHNOLOGY.